Zachary Pierce, center, LCPS 2022-2023 Beginning Teacher of the Year, with, from left, Jennifer Sutton, LCPS Beginning Teacher Support Coordinator; Steve Saint-Amand, principal of Lenoir County Early College High School; LCPS HR Director Pam Heath; and Lynn Morris, LCPS Beginning Teacher Coordinator.

For soccer player, career shift nets Beginning Teacher of Year honor

Zachary Pierce knew he loved soccer. He just didn’t know that soccer would show him that he also loved teaching. The intersection of those two passions has provided Lenoir County Public Schools with its 2022-2023 Beginning Teacher of the Year.

Pierce, in his second year as a history teacher at Lenoir County Early College High School, will represent the school district in the statewide competition for Beginning Teacher of the Year, an honor bestowed by the North Carolina Center of the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) on a second-year teacher from a public school district or charter school.

“Mr. Pierce emerged as an early front-runner for being named LCPS Beginning Teacher of the Year,” Lynn Morris, the district’s Beginning Teacher Coordinator, said. “He brings history to life by presenting engaging lessons and student-led discussions. He is an asset to the staff and students at Lenoir County Early College High School.”

The Richlands native was headed in another direction before he signed on as soccer coach at Contentnea-Savannah K-8 School while he was in college.

“One of the reasons I wanted to become a teacher was that experience at Contentnea-Savannah,” said Pierce, who played soccer in college. “I loved working with the kids, so I changed my degree to become a history teacher.”

He holds a bachelor of arts degree in history and a bachelor of science degree in history education from East Carolina University. He also earned an associate degree from Lenoir Community College.

Pierce joined LCPS in July 2021 after interning the previous school year at Early College High School.

“I was blessed to be placed here for my internship,” he said. “This is a phenomenal place to be. I love the kids and the great discussions. I love watching them grow.”

His principal, Steve Saint-Amand, returned the compliment. “Mr. Pierce is an outstanding choice to be the Beginning Teacher of the Year,” he said. “He is a planner and a pleasure to work with. He has a great rapport with his students and makes history fun. Lenoir County Early College is very fortunate to have Mr. Pierce as a member of our staff.”

Nominations for N.C. Teacher of the Year are considered by NCCAT’s regional selection committees and three finalists are chosen. The finalists are invited to attend the NCCAT conference in Cullowhee in March. A state winner is scheduled to be announced March 6.